Wading closer to community splash pad goal

Since the day a group of volunteers united as the South Dundas Community Playground Committee to bring a newer, bigger and better playground to Earl Baker Park in Morrisburg in 2011, the people of South Dundas have expressed a strong interest in a splash pad.

Although still about $20,000 short of a $200,000 fundraising goal, this year, the splash pad will become a reality.

The South Dundas playground/ splash pad committee set a fundraising goal of $200,000 and had hoped to break ground on the splash pad at Earl Baker Park in Morrisburg in the fall of 2014, but were unable to get started as they had hoped.

Weather and expert advice were big factors in the committee opting to wait until spring 2015 to get the splash pad project underway.

Michael Domanko of the committee said that the project will get started as soon as weather permits.

“Once the installers arrive on site, it will take one week to complete the splash pad,” said Domanko.

“So, there’s no question, kids will be splashing out there this summer.”

The Vortex splash pad will be installed by ABC Recreation of Paris, Ontario.

They have installed many splash pads including Long Sault, Cornwall and Brockville.

The South Dundas splash pad will include the top five elements voted on by elementary school students in South Dundas.

Water tunnel, cylinder spray, loop sprayers will be elements included for the older children, while the water bug and aqua dome will be features of the toddler section of the splash pad.

“The design is a very active one,” said Domanko.

Although they have not yet reached their initial $200,000 fundraising goal, Domanko says the community has done extremely well in raising funds to support this project.

The committee had applied, unsuccessfully, for half a dozen different grants from various funding sources.

The absence of securing such a grant is the main reason for the shortfall.

To help make up for some of the shortfall, the committee is trying to secure more in-kind contributions to the project to reduce some of the overall cost.

Already, Cruickshank construction has donated 180 tonnes of aggregate for the project and Lloyd McMillan has provided some trucking, in-kind.

The committee is planning a trivia fundraiser for the early spring.

Until then, the committee is gladly accepting donations towards the splash pad.

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On February 11th, the Morrisburg and District Leos held a food drive at Riley’s Valu-Mart in the Morrisburg Plaza. The Leos, a youth division of the local Lions Club, “has been a group for almost two years now,” said Katie Prevost (right), President of the Leos. Both Prevost and Leos Secretary Sheldon Dunkley (left) arrived at the store before 8 a.m. in the hopes of collecting as much money and food for the Dundas County Food Bank, as possible. “People have been donating a lot,” said Prevost, “they’ve been really generous.” Someone even donated $100, said Dunkley. In total, the Leos collected 203 items and $447 for the food bank. According to Prevost and Dunkley, the Leos keep very busy fundraising, doing clean-ups and helping out wherever they can. Their next big project? A talent show in March. Prevost said the group is looking for anyone between the ages of 7 and 18 to sign-up for the talent show. Contact the Morrisburg and District Lions Club for more information.

Weather and delayed components are hampering efforts to get the new splash pad in Morrisburg’s Earl Baker Park up and running in time for Canada Day.

As of Monday morning (June 29), the plan was to pour concrete Monday and put in topsoil and sod Tuesday.

If these two things, weather permitting, could happen, the splash pad could have been partially open for Canada Day on Wednesday.

However, rain leading up to July 1 pushed the concrete pour date back to Thursday, and then an extremely wet Canada Day has meant the date has been put off for a second time.

The committee leading the project has long had Canada Day as a target date to have the water flowing at this highly anticipated attraction for South Dundas’ youngest residents.

Even if the weather had co-operated, in the best-cased scenario, the splash pad can only be partially opened because there has been a delay in obtaining some of the components that are required to provide electricity to the control panel, according to Michael Domanko of the community playground committee that has led the splash pad project.

Construction of the $200,000 splash pad, paid for through community fundraising efforts, started early last week.

Generally, installation takes about one week.

Although this project, which will bring South Dundas its first splash pad, was close to being on schedule, wet weather has impeded progress.

Once completed, the splash pad will have two play areas, one designed with younger children in mind. The play area for the younger children has three components, with one of those featuring four separate ground level jets.

The play area for older children features eight water elements.

“We can certainly see how excited the kids are as the construction progresses, but I think the committee members are equally excited,” said Domanko.

At the January 17th South Dundas council meeting, council members were treated with a presentation of the proposed new branding options for the Untied Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

South Dundas Economic Development Officer Nicole Sullivan presented council with a report outlining the creation process behind the proposed brands. The presentation came complete with visuals and detailed explanations.

Both branding options incorporate SD&G’s geographic location in their proposed catchphrase. Each option is being considered for its wording, not for the accompanying picture. That will be decided on at a later date.

Option one, The Counties @ 45, was chosen because “the Counties of SD&G are located at the 45th parallel, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole – @ the juncture of balanced living, adventure and business opportunity.”

Option two, Gateway Counties, was chosen because “the Counties of SD&G lie on the doorstep of Ontario, near major Canadian cities and the United States – opening up new opportunities for business, tourism, and balanced living.”

“To enhance its economic development activities, the United Counties wish to: position the region as an attractive location for business and tourism; present a unified and consistent brand message to strengthen recognition and become more effective; and, help locate Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry on the map.”

“A new logo mark has been developed that aims to convey key attributes to a wide range of target audiences spanning from business relocation consultants to tourists to local residents through a fresh look and feel.”

Following the presentation, council members were advised of an anonymous online survey to evaluate the two options. Mayor Steven Byvelds encouraged council members to complete the survey to “give the Counties something to go on when trying to make the decision in February.”